Some tehsil staffs of Jaleswar were attacked by sand mafia when they were carrying out raids at the illegal sand mining in the Subarnarekha river on Friday. The goons not only thrashed the officials but also damaged their vehicles and snatched their mobile phones.
The injured were admitted at a local community health centre (CHC). The Sarpanch was detained by the police after an FIR was lodged in this connection against him. A platoon of police force was deployed to thwart further deterioration of the law and order situation.
The revenue staffs had received information that sand was being lifted from the river under Gadasahi in Baliapal of Jaleswar police station. And around 6 am, three revenue staff along with police raided the spot. There were around 100 people who were engaged in sand lifting and they were loading in the vehicles in the presence of the local Sarpanch. They claimed that the sand was required for the works under the NREGS.
Although they took the plea of Government works under the MGNREGS, the Tehsildar found their claim to be false. Further investigation was underway.